ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: Pakistan and Yemen will sign four agreements on Monday to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields and increase the current flow of trade between the two countries.

Officials at the commerce ministry said on Saturday that the agreements would be inked during the fourth session of the Pakistan-Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) scheduled to start from March 1, 2004 at Sana'a, Yemen. Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan will lead Pakistani delegation and will sign the agreements.

The agreements include: trade agreement; the agreement for avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income; agreement on cooperation in the field of health; memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation between the Federation of Yemeni Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

According to the MoU, both the chambers would undertake all the activities that help develop and promote the foreign trade and enhance the commercial exchanges between the two countries.

Under the MoU, the two parties shall work within their powers to enhance the available resources for promotion of economic and commercial relations and facilitate contacts between the companies and investors in the two countries.

It will also be considered to exchange visits by the commercial delegates and businessmen with a view to promoting trade and commercial exchange and encouraging investment.

According to the officials, the JMC would review the progress made so far on decisions of the third meeting of the Pakistan-Yemen JMC and explore new areas for future cooperation in various fields.

Pakistan will also ask for cooperation in holding a single-country exhibition in Sana'a some time in near future.

During his stay in Yemen Mr Khan will hold meetings with Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Qader Abdul Rehman Ba-Jamal, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed Sofan and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abu Baker Al-Kirbi, along with other higher officials of the Yemeni government and representatives of the business community.